MIDDLETOWN  A 45-year-old man is being held in the city jail on charges that he assaulted a pair of police officers as they tried to arrest him early Monday.

James Arthur Russell appeared in Municipal Court, where his bond was set at $30,000. Scheduled for an Oct. 30 preliminary hearing, Mr. Russell faces a series of charges: two counts of felonious assault on a police officer and a count each of resisting arrest, loitering in aid of a drug offense, drug abuse (marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Officers David Kirsch and Tim Meehan were recovering from injuries suffered in a scuffle.

Police say the officers spotted Mr. Russell early Monday as they were on patrol in the area of 16th Avenue and Minnesota Street.

Police said he was attempting to conceal a bag of marijuana and when they tried to arrest him, he resisted. He also allegedly tried to grab Officer Kirsch's pistol during the struggle.